Mollie’s Motel & Diner has arrived in Manchester, with beautiful hotel rooms plus a retro diner serving American classics.
The space has taken over five floors of the iconic Old Granada Studios down at St John’s, with interior design that celebrates the building’s history.
Mid-century modern details like dark woods, textured upholstery, and retro lamps abound in this stylish new opening for Manchester.
Soho House Design has worked on the build of Mollie’s Motel to preserve the modernist facade of Old Granada Studios and make playful nods to the building’s vibrant history.
This is particularly obvious downstairs in Studio IV, a cocktail bar with a live music stage, where vintage TVs have been inserted over the bar and guests sink into plush couches for pre-dinner drinks.
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You can already check out Mollie’s Diner, which is open now (with a decent discount for its launch – more on that below), with the Mollie’s Motel bedrooms set to launch early 2026.
The hotel rooms at Mollie’s Motel Manchester
A bunk room at Mollie’s Motel ManchesterA Mollie’s Motel suiteAnd a tub with a viewThe bedrooms are all beautifully designed
Hotel rooms at Mollie’s Manchester are incredibly reasonably priced (with 15% off that too when you book direct), with different size and spec bedrooms and suites for guests.
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There are cosy bunk rooms where up to four guests can tuck into their own bunk pods, suites that have their own Peleton room, and cosy double bedrooms with gorgeous views of the southern side of the city.
Regardless of the level (or price) of your chosen room, you’ll have the same design detailing (dark wood panelling, terrazzo and aged brass finishes), plus rainshowers, a super king bed, Dyson hairdryers, GHD straighteners and Cowshed toiletries.
Mollie’s Diner in Manchester
Mollie’s Diner is open nowBreakfast dishes at Mollie’s DinerBurgers and fried chicken at Mollie’s DinerClassic thick milkshakes
The diner space itself looks like it’s been lifted straight out of Hollywood’s Golden Age, with deep burgundy leather banquettes, counter seating, and globe pendant lights.
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It’s all been inspired by the interior of a vintage Cadillac, and has space to 110 diners plus private dining for 30.
As for food and drink, you can expect everything from waffles and French toast to huge burgers and steaks, with thick milkshakes to wash it down.
You can get 50% off food if you book Mollie’s Diner HERE.
The rest of the spaces in Mollie’s Motel & Diner, Manchester
Studio IV cocktail barStudio IV cocktail barThe library snug
As you enter this reimagined building, you’re plunged straight into its design-led vision, with couches and cosy corners everywhere.
The communal reception space has a library snug, coffee counter, and beautiful bar, but you head downstairs you’ll find the real treat – Studio IV.
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This beautiful bar is built around a magnificent central bar, with retro TV screens above it and scalloped leather bar stools surrounding it.
There’s a mid-century-era stage, too, which will host live entertainment to a crowd gathered on couches before it.
You can get 25% off signature cocktails in Studio IV if you pre-book HERE.
The surprisingly luxurious caravan park that’s the perfect place for a Peak District getaway
Daisy Jackson
We probably all have fond memories of caravan holidays as a child, frolicking around the British countryside before tucking up on a squeaky single bed – and as fond as those memories may be, they don’t exactly scream *luxury*.
But the times are a-changing, and so are UK holiday parks, with many caravans and static homes now kitted out just as beautifully as any premium lodge or Airbnb.
You’ll find some such caravans at Newhaven Holiday Park, which sits right at the heart of the Peak District and is perfectly placed for exploring some of the area’s best attractions.
The platinum lodges here feature sizeable living spaces – a lounge, fully-equipped kitchen, and dining room (again, unlike your childhood holidays where you’d just fold away the table) – alongside three bedrooms, two of which have en suite bathrooms.
The design details are premium, like matte black bathroom fittings, pale wood details, and plush carpets.
The huge living space and kitchenNewhaven Holiday ParkAn en suite bedroom in the platinum lodge
But really, the best thing about staying at Newhaven Holiday Park is that it lands you right on the doorstep of some of the Peak District’s best bits.
Within seconds, you’ll find yourself surrounded by rolling hills dotted with sheep and pheasants, and within a short drive you’ll be strolling around the beautiful grounds of Chatsworth Estate, currently ablaze with autumn colours.
If you’re feeling peckish after your walk, head a short distance along into the charming village of Baslow, and to Charlotte’s of Baslow, a lovely cafe serving treats like soup in a bread bowl, apple crumble oats, and açai bowls.
Pastries at Charlotte’s of Baslow
You’re also not far from the village of Bakewell, home of the Bakewell Pudding (visit the higgledy-piggledy The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop for a potted history of the pudding and its sibling, the Bakewell tart).
The village is also packed with local independent bakeries, delis, cafes, shops, and more.
On your way back to Newhaven Holiday Park, swing by Tagg Lane Dairy, an ice cream farm making its own award-winning gelato, with flavours like apple pie, and pineapple chilli cheesecake.
Tagg Lane DairyBakewell villageThe Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop
If you’re looking for a great base in the Peak District, without blowing the budget, definitely don’t overlook a caravan stay.
You can see more and book your stay at Newhaven Holiday Park HERE.
No trams to run on THREE major Greater Manchester lines for two weeks this month
Emily Sergeant
Widespread disruption is expected, as no trams will be running on three major Greater Manchester lines for two full weeks.
As the next phase of the ongoing £150m investment into Greater Manchester’s tram network gets under way later this month, it has been announced that essential improvement work is set to be be carried out on three major Metrolink lines across the region in a bid to make the network ‘safer’ and ‘more resilient and reliable’ for years to come.
From Monday 19 October to Sunday 1 November, tram improvement works will take place at Deansgate-Castlefield, and Trafford Bar.
Additional works will also take place in the city centre during this time, allowing Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to keep closures of the tram network to a minimum.
During the dates above, no trams will run on the Altrincham, Trafford Centre, and Eccles lines.
No trams will be running on three major Greater Manchester line for two weeks this month / Credit: TfGM
A number of shuttle bus services will the running over the course of the two-week closure – with services arriving every 10 or 15 minutes, depending which line it’s on, and you can find a full list of these here.
Services operating on the East Didsbury and Manchester Airport lines will terminate at Firswood, and from Firswood, passengers will then need to board a replacement bus service to continue their journey into the city centre.
Services operating on the Rochdale line will terminate at Exchange Square, it has also been announced.
Services will resume on these lines from start of service on Monday 2 November.
However there will be some minor route changes through the city centre in place from Monday 2 to Wednesday 4 November, so it’s important to check your journey before you travel.
Daisy Jackson -
16th December 2025 
